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Boils

Author's details

  • Hakim A Abubakre
  • BA (Hons) International Business Management, Msc Digital Marketing.

Reviewer's details

  • Dr. Khashau Eleburuike
  • MBBS (Ilorin) MSc. Global Health Karolinska Institute.
  • Resident doctor in family medicine in Northen Sweden.
A boil is a painful, red lump on the skin filled with pus (thick yellow or white fluid). Boils are caused by bacteria (germs)
  • Date Published: 2025-06-11
  • Date Updated: 2026-01-02

Boils

Key Messages

  • Boils are painful, pus-filled lumps on the skin caused by bacteria, especially in enclosed and humid areas of the body.
  • They commonly appear in areas like the armpits, neck, face, buttocks, and skin folds.
  • Risk factors include sweating, tight or dirty clothes, poor hygiene, and weakened immunity.
  • Home care involves warm compresses, cleanliness, and not squeezing the boil; seek medical help if severe.
  • Prevention focuses on hygiene, loose clothing, healthy diet, and not sharing personal items
Introduction

What Are Boils?

(Also called “Furunculosis” or “Furuncles”)

 

Simple Explanation

A boil is a painful, red lump on the skin filled with pus (thick yellow or white fluid).
Boils are caused by bacteria (germs), usually Staphylococcus aureus, which enter the skin through cuts, scratches, or sweat pores.

Boils are common in hot, humid areas like Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in places where people sweat a lot or wear tight or synthetic clothes.

Discussion

Where Do Boils Happen?

Boils often appear on:

  • Armpits
  • Neck
  • Face
  • Buttocks
  • Back
  • Shoulders
  • Inner thighs
  • Around the ears or nose
  • Skin folds (especially in people who are overweight)

 

Signs and Symptoms

  • Painful red lump, sometimes the size of a pea or golf ball
  • White or yellow tip (filled with pus)
  • Area feels hot, swollen or itchy
  • May ooze or leak fluid
  • You may feel tired or feverish
  • Sometimes more than one boil appears
  • Skin around it may turn red or sore

 

Who Gets Boils?

You are more likely to get boils if you:

  • Sweat a lot or live in a hot climate
  • Wear tight, dirty, or synthetic clothes
  • Have diabetes, obesity, or other illnesses
  • Have poor hygiene
  • Share razors, towels, or clothes
  • Have low iron or vitamin C
  • Have weak immunity (due to HIV, TB, or long-term illness)

 

How to Care for a Boil at Home

Do:

  • Put a clean warm cloth on the boil 3–4 times a day for 10 minutes
  • Keep the area clean and dry
  • Wash the skin gently with antibacterial soap
  • Cover the boil with a clean bandage
  • Shower daily and wash your hands often
  • Change clothes, towels, and sheets regularly
  • Take painkillers like paracetamol (if needed)

 Don’t:

  • Don’t squeeze or burst the boil
  • Don’t scratch it
  • Don’t share towels, razors, or clothes
  • Don’t use herbal creams unless a health worker says it's okay

 

When To See a Health Worker

Go to the clinic or hospital if:

  • You have more than one boil
  • The boil is on your face, near the eyes, or nose
  • You have a fever or feel very sick
  • The boil is very big or spreading
  • It doesn’t heal in 2 weeks
  • You get boils often
  • The skin around it becomes very red, hot, or swollen
  • You have HIV, diabetes, or another immune problem

 

How To Prevent Boils

  • Keep yourself clean—wash daily
  • Wear loose, clean clothes made of cotton
  • Eat healthy food—fruits, vegetables, water
  • Avoid smoking
  • Wash and change towels and sheets often
  • Don’t share personal items (like razors or towels)
  • Don’t pick your nose—use a clean cloth or tissue
  • Try to lose weight if you are overweight
  • Manage health conditions like diabetes, iron and vitamin C deficiencies.

 

 

Conclusion

Special Notes for Sub-Saharan Africa

  • Boils are very common due to the hot weather, sweating, and poor access to clean water
  • Health education and early treatment can reduce spread
  • Encourage community hygiene—clean water, bathing facilities, and avoiding overcrowding
  • Boils are not caused by spiritual attacks or curses—they are treatable medical conditions
References
  1. World Health Organization (WHO) – Infectious skin diseases
  2. NHS UK – Boils and carbuncles overview
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Staph infections
  4. Alikhan A, et al. (2009). Furunculosis and staph carriage. J Am Acad Dermatol
  5. Okoroafor UC et al. (2018). Skin infections in Sub-Saharan Africa. African Health Sciences
  6. DermNet NZ – Boils (Furuncles)
  7. Estrada-Chávez, G.E., 2024. Boils or Furunculosis. In Skin Disease in Travelers (pp. 29-33). Cham: Springer International Publishing.